"As the Pope of the Spirit Hall, I need to maintain the dignity of the Pope. Sometimes, certain things are not easy for me to say,"
"Therefore, some matters might require you... to convey them on my behalf."
Hu Liena's heart skipped a beat.
Things that are not easy to say?
Require me to convey them?
What kind of things could they be?
What words would make even a supreme existence like Teacher feel that it compromises her dignity?
Hu Liena's mind raced.
To win over a powerful expert, one typically offers power, status, wealth, or beautiful women.
Power and status? As the Pope, Teacher can promise the position of an Elder or King within the Spirit Hall; this does not compromise her dignity.
Wealth? The Spirit Hall is the wealthiest entity under heaven, so that is also easily arranged.
Then... only the last option remains.
Beautiful women?
Hu Liena's cheeks instantly flushed red.
Could it be... Teacher means...
For me... to go and...
Huh?!
Is this the real reason Teacher specifically brought me along this time?!
Hu Liena felt her brain was slightly overloaded.
But... it seems to make sense.
She is the sole Disciple of the Pope of the Spirit Hall, the most outstanding Genius among the younger generation, and her appearance is top-tier on the continent.
Using her to win over an expert comparable to a god seems... like a very worthwhile trade.
For Teacher, for the Spirit Hall...
Hu Liena bit her lip; it seemed... not entirely unacceptable.
After all, that man did possess a fatal attraction.
Wait!
A more astonishing thought flashed through Hu Liena's mind.
Teacher said... there are some words she finds difficult to say.
If it were just about sacrificing her, Teacher could have simply given an order; there would be no need for such hinting.
So... is it possible...
That what Teacher meant by 'not easy to say' involves not just me, but also... also... herself?
As soon as this thought appeared, it spread through Hu Liena like a prairie fire, instantly engulfing her entire body.
She felt her cheeks burning hot, her heart beating so fast it felt like it would jump out of her chest.
She secretly stole another quick glance at her Teacher.
Teacher was still so majestic, so perfect, so... unattainable.
Master and Disciple... something like that...
Th-this isn't quite appropriate, is it?
Fuzzy and stimulating images uncontrollably surfaced in Hu Liena's mind.
She shook her head violently, trying to fling those rebellious thoughts away.
But the more she suppressed them, the stronger that inexplicable restlessness became.
...
Heaven Water City, Heaven Water Academy.
Shui Binger sat in her dormitory, frowning slightly as she looked at the reorganized information in the Chat Group.
She couldn't wait any longer.
Shui Binger knew very well that a man like Li Yifei would never lack followers.
He was like a lighthouse in the dark night, attracting all lost ships.
If she didn't act soon, she might not even have a chance to get close to him.
She wasn't a princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and didn't have a distinguished family background to be willful.
Nor was she Hu Liena, without the backing of the Pope as her Teacher.
All she could rely on was herself.
And Heaven Water Academy.
Shui Binger took a deep breath, her gaze becoming resolute.
She stood up, straightened her academy uniform—that sky-blue long dress made her look as pure and noble as an ice goddess.
She walked out of the dormitory without any hesitation, heading directly toward the tallest building in the academy.
The Dean's Office of Heaven Water Academy.
She was going to fight for a future for herself and for Heaven Water Academy.
Shui Binger arrived before the heavy wooden door and raised her hand.
Her fair, slender fingers gently landed on the door panel.
...
Li Yifei slowly shifted his gaze back.
His deep eyes calmly watched her.
"Do as you wish. This is a public area; you don't need my permission."
His words were plain, betraying no emotion.
The surrounding gazes, some curious, some probing, all focused on the two of them.
Ye Lingling stared blankly at the scene.
The Crown Prince was actually treated so casually by a strange man.
Another layer of doubt regarding Li Yifei's identity formed in her mind.
Xue Qinghe's body tensed at that moment.
He didn't turn around, nor did he even look directly at her.
He simply pushed her a thousand miles away with the most indifferent tone.
This kind of disregard was more embarrassing than any scolding.
But she suppressed the emotions churning in her heart.
Xue Qinghe pulled out a chair opposite Li Yifei, moving slowly.
She sat down, her posture dignified, as if she were truly just the Crown Prince visiting the reading room.
She took out an ancient book from her Soul Tool and spread it open.
However, her fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of the page.
Li Yifei didn't look at her again.
He lowered his eyelids, as if immersed in his previous meditation.
But his consciousness had already sunk back into the Chat Group in his mind.
And he sent a private message to Qian Renxue.
[Li Yifei: So, what is it you need?]
This time, his words were more direct.
No pleasantries, no preamble.
Qian Renxue's heart suddenly accelerated.
The tips of her fingers trembled uncontrollably.
[???: Can you explain in detail the matters concerning the Spirit Hall and the Angel God?]
She transmitted this message.
This was what she wanted to know most at the moment.
She wanted to know about her fate, her future.
[Li Yifei: Explain in detail? Do you enjoy being abused?]
Li Yifei's reply carried a hint of amusement.
The words were like an icy blade, stabbing directly at the most vulnerable spot in Qian Renxue's heart.
Enjoy being abused?
She sat rigidly in the chair, her fingers tightly gripping the book page.
[???:?]
She replied with a question mark.
A simple symbol, yet it contained her current confusion.
Li Yifei's consciousness sent out another message.
[Li Yifei: Do you really want to hear how your Spirit Hall fell from the altar into Hell?]
[Li Yifei: Or are you just looking for a way to break the deadlock?]
His words were devastatingly sharp.
Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking Qian Renxue's heart.
The Spirit Hall falling from the altar into Hell?
This was a future she had never considered, never dared to imagine.
Moreover, he mentioned the 'way to break the deadlock'.
Hope instantly ignited in Xue Qinghe's heart.
[???: You are correct. Are you willing to tell us the way to break the deadlock?]
She no longer hesitated, no longer concealed anything.
The address 'You' showed her urgency.
[???: As long as you are willing to provide a way to break the deadlock, I and our Spirit Hall will definitely...]
She wanted to make a promise.
Countless flowery phrases flooded her mind.
She wanted to use the most beautiful language to describe the gratitude and repayment of the Spirit Hall.
But she quickly stopped.
She knew that such empty promises were meaningless in front of this man.
What he wanted was definitely not these things.
[Li Yifei: Didn't I already teach you?]
[Li Yifei: Go kill that Tang Hao, who has a Level 95 spirit ring that explodes, first. Then just kill Tang San and the Asura God behind him.]